Hi! Did you know Alaskans celebrate Christmas in July? JoAnn Fabrics always has a big fabric sale on their Christmas fabric in July and a furniture store gives great prices at their “Christmas in July” sale. I get flyers through the mail and I see advertisements on the TV. I never have really understood why? But the craft stores now have Halloween and Christmas items on their shelves (already!). When I was in retail business I remember I’d have to start thinking about what I’m going to buy for the store for next Christmas, like right after THAT Christmas (or earlier). Company reps would come up that winter or early spring to take Christmas orders and if you didn’t have orders in by summer, you were sunk. I’m glad to be out of that life!

So……….I’m celebrating Christmas in August because I recently posted some of my “Big Holiday Stockings” on my Etsy shop. It felt weird taking photos outside and no snow yet, but it was so much FUN! I put a few tree branches in the tops of the stockings and hung them from a tree (a great suggestion from a friend & locker hooker). I will be making more big stockings and I’ll get some photos in the snow. We get snow in October and sometimes in September.

It all started when I drew one of my daughter’s names for a Christmas gift. She had recently moved into a new apartment and I wanted to make her something special. So I crocheted her own stocking with lots of colors and pretty yarns. I even crocheted beads into the toe. I had so much fun making it and used up some of my yarn remnants! Jake was thrilled saying, “don’t stop now, what a great way to get rid of ALLyour yarn!!” OK, I do have way too much yarn, way too much!

Here are some of my Big Holiday Stockings! I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Thanks!